The Symbolic Language of Jadeite: Decoding Auspicious Motifs in Chinese Culture
Introduction
For over 7,000 years, Chinese jade carvings have served as more than mere adornments—they are visual prayers, embedding cultural aspirations into stone. Professor Michelle Au and Yan Jun’s research in Jadeite Selection deciphers this symbolic lexicon, where every dragon, peach, or bat motif carries layered meanings of fortune, longevity, and virtue. This guide unveils the hidden language of jadeite motifs for collectors and cultural enthusiasts alike.
1. Mythical Creatures: Celestial Blessings
1.1 The Imperial Trinity
- Dragon (龍): Power and prosperity; paired with phoenix as “龍鳳呈祥” (harmonious union).
- Phoenix (鳳): Resurrection and marital bliss; often carved with peonies for “富貴無邊” (boundless wealth).
- Qilin (麒麟): Auspicious births; “麒麟送子” depicts it delivering a baby, symbolizing male heirs.
1.2 Hybrid Motifs
- “二龍戲珠”: Two dragons chasing a pearl—representing cosmic balance and scholarly achievement.
2. Flora & Fauna: Nature’s Metaphors
2.1 Longevity Symbols
- Peach (桃): Inspired by the Queen Mother’s immortality peaches; a must for birthday gifts.
- Crane (鶴): Paired with deer as “鶴鹿同春” for eternal youth.
- Pine & Bamboo (松竹): “歲寒三友” (Three Friends of Winter) signifies resilience.
2.2 Fertility & Abundance
- Pomegranate (石榴): Bursting seeds = “多子多福” (many descendants).
- Lotus (蓮): “連生貴子” (continuous births of noble sons)—popular in wedding jades.
3. Wordplay: The Art of Homophones
Chinese phonetics transform carvings into puns:
- Bat (蝠) = “福” (fortune): Five bats = “五福臨門” (Five Blessings).
- Fish (魚) = “餘” (surplus): Golden fish = “金玉滿堂” (wealth overflow).
- Monkey (猴) = “侯” (nobility): On a horse = “馬上封侯” (instant promotion).
4. Modern Collecting Insights
- Rarity Alert: Yellow-green “福在眼前” (bat + coin) jadeite is nearly extinct.
- Authenticity Tip: Genuine motifs show tool marks; laser-carved fakes lack depth.
- Cultural Depth: A “貔貅” (wealth-eating beast) should face outward to attract money.
Source: Ouyang, Q. & Yan, J. Jadeite Selection.
翡翠吉祥圖案密碼：東方文化中的象徵語言
引言
七千年來，中國玉雕不僅是裝飾，更是具象化的祈願。歐陽秋眉教授與嚴軍在《翡翠選購》中解碼了這些圖騰——從龍紋到蝙蝠，每道刻痕皆暗藏福祿壽喜的密語。本文為藏家揭開這套視覺語言。
1. 神獸圖騰：天賜吉兆
1.1 皇家三靈
- 龍：權勢與昌隆；與鳳搭配成「龍鳳呈祥」。
- 鳳：涅槃與姻緣；常見牡丹組成「富貴無邊」。
- 麒麟：送子神獸；「麒麟送子」題材祈求男丁興旺。
1.2 經典組合
- 「二龍戲珠」：雙龍奪珠，象徵文武雙全。
2. 自然之物：比興之美
2.1 長壽意象
- 壽桃：源自西王母蟠桃，祝壽必備。
- 仙鶴：與鹿組成「鶴鹿同春」寓意長春不老。
- 松竹：「歲寒三友」彰顯君子節操。
2.2 子嗣與豐饒
- 石榴：籽粒豐碩象徵「多子多福」。
- 蓮蓬：「連生貴子」常見於婚嫁翡翠。
3. 諧音雙關：漢字的巧思
- 蝙蝠：諧音「福」，五蝠即「五福臨門」。
- 金魚：音近「金玉」，寓意「金玉滿堂」。
- 猴騎馬：「馬上封侯」暗喻仕途高升。
4. 收藏實用指南
- 絕跡品種：黃加綠翡翠「福在眼前」（蝠＋錢）已近礦竭。
- 辨偽要點：手工雕刻線條深淺不一，雷射雕刻過於平整。
- 擺放禁忌：「貔貅」招財須朝外，否則反噬主運。
資料來源：歐陽秋眉、嚴軍,《翡翠選購》。
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